Facial Spasms

What are facial spasms?

Facial spasms are abnormal muscle contractions in the face. Repeated facial spasms, also called tics, are often seen in children, particularly boys. In many cases, the cause of facial spasms is not known. In other cases, facial spasms may be related to seizures, medication side effects, chronic motor disorders, or Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations.

Facial Problems Spotlight

Common types of facial spasms include rapid, repetitive squinting or blinking, grimacing, mouth twitching, and nose twitching. Often, facial spasms will go away with time. They generally do not lead to complications or require treatment. Facial spasms may be related to stress, so eliminating stress or undertaking a stress management program may improve facial spasms. In some cases, medical intervention may be beneficial.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if facial spasms occur in combination with a seizure, loss of consciousness, paralysis or inability to move a body part, or difficulty breathing.

Neurological symptoms that may occur along with facial spasms

What causes facial spasms?

Often, the cause of facial spasms is not known. They may be the symptom of a transient tic disorder, chronic motor tic disorder, or Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations. In serious cases, facial spasms may be related to seizures or epilepsy.